On October 15, 1996, Ellen Rowe, UVM Extension Regional Specialist, and Al North hosted the Enhancing Community Awareness Banquet at Lyndon Institute. Program evaluators and AmeriCorps volunteers facilitated a dinner meeting with representatives from the six ECA communities: Barnet, Barton, Brighton, Canaan, Concord and Lunenburg. Community representatives presented a "journey" of how they used ECA funds over the 3-years of the Youth-At-Risk Grant. Timelines were used as an effective evaluation technique to record meetings, programs, and other important events. Volunteers from the different communities shared their experiences, ideas, and concerns for the future.
Highlights of the Program Include:
- · Successful Integration of Youth-At-Risk
- · Challenging Activities for Youth
- · Collaboration among Groups in the Community
Obstacles Experienced:
- Access to Transportation for Activities
- Lack of Trust and Support from the Community
- Parental Volunteer Participation
Plans for the Future:
- · Program Sustainability
- · Community Computers provided by the Vermont State Strengthening Grant
- · Grant Writing, Fund Raising, etc.